Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 48

- 3 (more) weeks later -

Much like 3 weeks ago, Milori found himself strangely in the same position he was when he first received the divorce papers from Clarion.
He was once more sitting on his throne, going over some financial ledgers when again a missive runner seemed to appear.
This time however, Milori was under no illusion and held no hope that this correspondence would also be from Clarion.
That did not stop the curiosity from taking over however.
What could it be now?
It was rare for Milori to receive direct communications, as one of his assistants usually took care of anything minor.
So naturally two in the space of a few weeks should be concerning.
He waited patiently as the young messenger arrived in front of him and bowed low.
"My lord, I hail from the Jungle realm. His Royal highness Sir Adler requests your presence at the annual high Fae congregation in 3 days time."
Milori sighed inwardly.
The annual High Fae congregation was a gathering for all rulers of primary kingdoms and realms where important matters could be discussed.
It wasn't that he didn't like lord Adler or the other fairy rulers who would surely attend, he just didn't like all the fuss surrounding it.
If it were only as it was stated, a meeting, he would not mind at all.
But always the "meeting" part seemed to be misinterpreted and really the better term for it would be party.
But Milori conceded that if you invited every major ruler on the island to one place, extravagance would be expected.
As these thoughts filtered through his head, he nodded absently towards the messenger.
"I have your invitation here as well as Queen Clarion's, Lord Adler trusts that you will pass it on to her."
Milori scoffed openly at this, Lord Adler was better off having the invitation sent to Clarion by way of snowy bunnies rather than him.
There was a 90% chance they'd lose it before getting it to her but there was a 100% chance that Clarion would have him escorted by guards out of Pixie Hollow.
In hearing his scoff, the messenger raised a confused eyebrow.
"Is that agreeable my Lord?"
Milori waved a hand, smiling.
"Yes, yes, of course."
The messenger bowed low once more, leaving the invitations with a nearby guard.
"I'll be sure to tell his highness that you both will be attending then."
Milori was once more nodding, watching the man leave, when all of a sudden a lovely idea began to form.
Clarion no doubt would be attending.
Even without this invitation he knew that she was already aware of when, where and what time the meeting was.
Every year, Clarion reminded him of it and other important events they attended together as joint rulers (or had).
She also loved to attend as many of her associates and long-term friends were given the rare chance of getting together in one place.
Lord Adler could definitely count him in.
Getting up, Milori stretched and began walking to the doors that would lead out of his throne room and into one of the main halls.
It was always bustling with servants and people, everyone doing their jobs that in turn kept the kingdom running smoothly.
Upon reaching the doorway, he stopped and surveyed people as they came and went.
He couldn't say he knew most of them personally but he wanted to change that and soon.
It was all part of his goal to become more accessible to the people.
Suddenly he stopped scanning as his gaze came to rest upon the very same missive runner who had just delivered Lord Adlers' invitations.
The young man was lazily leaning against the wall, conversing with some of Milori's own missive runners.
Milori didn't know for sure, but he suspected that Lord Adler would not appreciate the boy spending time on the job to stand around and talk.
Usually messengers like him had a whole list of messages they needed to deliver by the end of the day.
Milori shrugged, not his problem.
Milori began walking their way, needing to pass by anyway to get to the outdoor courtyard where he had a meeting with an advisor.
All around, his subjects bowed as he passed them, in which Milori smiled in return.
Only the group of young men/messengers failed to notice the Kings' presence, too focused on their conversation.
He had just begun to pass them, a good few feet away, when he heard a name that stopped him.
Queen Clarion.
The boys were speaking about Clarion.
His interest piqued, Milori quickly detoured to a nearby pillar, feigning to look at a notebook that was in his pocket.
As nonchalantly as possible, he strained to hear them.
"What do you mean she's on her way there? We thought the Queen was in Pixie Hollow."
Lord Adlers' missive runner shook his head, "I'm telling you I heard it from Orville. He just came back from running a missive to one of the Autumn realms saying that Queen Clarion had been there. Apparently she was on business but was just finishing up when he had gotten there a few days ago. He heard her say she's on her way to Lord Adler now."
One of Milori's messengers shrugged.
"She must be going early for the Fae Congregation, why does it matter?"
Again the boy shook his head.
"I mean it doesn't but it's odd wouldn't you say? Also I brought Queen Clarions' invitation here, should I get it back?"
"Nah, obviously Lord Adler will just tell her about the meeting when she arrives if that isn't what she's going for already. It's in 3 days anyway so I doubt she'd miss it."
Milori's mind swirled in hearing the conversation but only took away one thing from it; Clarion would for sure be there.
He didn't know why she was arriving early but was happy he could now plan on seeing her soon.
The only problem now would be physically stopping himself from heading there right away to see her.
He needed to play this out right or else it would only damage things further (if there truly was anything left to damage further).
Honestly he had no idea what to even say at this point.
All he could do was apologize profusely and try to show her he'd changed, even if only a little.
But that little bit was growing progressively each day.
Now he could say he had a completely different outlook when he woke up in the morning.
He just worried that he sounded like a broken record however, always promising to do better and apologizing only to mess things up again.
Straightening, Milori moved to leave the boys and make his meeting, yet he still heard the last few sentences exchanged.
"All I'm saying is it's odd that your Queen isn't here and is off traveling so much even for business. Many are saying that there might be changes coming soon. That Lord Milori and her have grown apart."
Milori could hear the disapproval in his messengers' response,
"Changes? Changes to what? The Winter Realm? Pixie Hollow? What are you saying?"
The boy replied in a pacifying yet firm tone,
"Changes to the whole island... your King and Queen rule nearly all of it save for a few seasonal provinces. If anything happens it will affect us all."
And that was the last Milori heard as he walked into the courtyard.
He wasn't perfect, he'd make mistakes again for sure but so would Clarion.
They were imperfect fairies in an imperfect relationship, as all were.
But she had to see that he was genuine this time, he would do his best to see that she did at least.